5 Anal Sex Myths That Are Totally Wrong

Rumours about anal sex fly around like wildfire from the moment you come to learn what sex is. I remember a school friend telling me to never, ever, under any circumstances, have anal sex because my vagina and butt could become one giant hole. Others expect anal play will result in a mass poo explosion, which forever ruins their delicate b-hole in the process, but all these ridiculous rumors are anything but true. Alicia Sinclair, CEO of b-Vibe explains why these 5 most common (and sometimes harmful) myths surrounding anal sex are actually total BS.

This myth is so disempowering and sexist. The common narrative goes like this: women don’t like anal sex, it’s something that straight men want of them, and if it ever ends up happening, women are often coerced into it, or agree to do it just for the sake of fulfilling that “male fantasy”. Well, that’s simply wrong.

The idea that women don’t enjoy anal sex takes away their agency as beings with their own sexual desires and complex sexuality. Anal play can feel incredibly pleasurable in the female body.

And don’t forget the potential for exterior anal pleasure; There are tons of nerve endings located at the anus. Hence the reason why people of all genders enjoy “rimming”, or oral stimulation of the booty. Sex toy retailer b-Vibe even created a Rimming Butt Plug to replicate this very sensation.

One of the great things about anal play is that folks of any gender and orientation can enjoy it. However, a lot of men express fear about receiving anal pleasure.

The most important thing about anal play for men is that the sensations and experiences that feel good to you have nothing to do with your sexual orientation. It’s kind of like how the food that you enjoy is totally different from who you want to have dinner with.

From a physiological perspective, the prostate can only really be stimulated through the anal canal — although pressure on the perineum can also be pleasurable. A lot of men report that orgasms that come from prostate stimulation feel bigger, more expansive, or more full-body.

Sadly, many people associate anal play with pain due to a previous bad experience or lack of understanding on how to make anal play enjoyable

Pleasurable anal sex is 90% preparation, and that includes getting mentally prepared. That’s even truer if you’ve had uncomfortable or painful experiences in the past, because your body can expect the same thing again, which makes the anus tighten up.

There are a few different reasons why anal sex might not feel good. One of the most common ones is a stinging or friction sensation. That’s because there isn’t enough lubricant, so you’ll want to add a little more. Don’t tolerate or endure discomfort; all that does it make your body tighten up more. Adding more lube will make it feel much better, so don’t hesitate. That’s especially important if there’s a lot of in and out motion.

Going from zero to penis is a no-no. The anal sphincter is strong, yet delicate. It’s best if you start small, with something like fingers, and then work your way towards something larger such as a butt plug. A small vibrating butt plug, like this Novice Plug is a great option because it’s about the size of a finger and is a good transition from fingers to toys. The amazing thing about vibration is that it’s not only a pleasurable sensation, but it also relaxes muscles.

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Anal hygiene is one of the most common concerns that people have about anal play. Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to manage and actual “pooping” during the act is extremely rare. However, you may find that poop is transferred to fingers, a sex toy, or penis, if you haven’t taken any steps to rinse out the anal canal.

At minimum, to prevent any poop appearance, try and have a bowel movement and shower before your engaging in anal sex. You do not need an enema!

One of the common misconceptions is that anal sex will weaken or damage the anal muscles. While it is possible to hurt yourself if you aren’t paying attention to what you’re doing or if you’re forcing your body (or your partner’s body) to do something that doesn’t feel good, the overwhelming majority of people having anal sex will not experience any permanent damage to their body.

Small micro-tears inside the rectum are relatively common during anal sex, just as small micro-tears occur inside the vagina during vaginal sex. These small tears usually heal quickly and have no long-term effect on the body.